【明報專訊】On my plane back to England after the Christmas holiday, I heard the girl next to me sob. Exhausted, I hesitated whether to ask her whether she was okay. But I then decided not to encroach on the personal life of a complete stranger. Maybe she's upset over a break-up. Then, while I was reading, she approached me in a trembling voice, still tearful, "Can I please talk to you?" It was a request that no one could refuse. "Of course!" I replied.